Frank Davis leads all North American product development for Ford, creating automotive products that customers want and value

A veteran product development executive, Davis has been with Ford since 1984

Davis spent much of his career in Ford Truck engineering, bringing several top-selling pickups and SUVs to fruition

Frank Davis has been an extremely busy guy.

Executive Director, North American Product Programs, Davis is responsible for product development and launches for the entire North American product portfolio. Fiesta is the latest in the successful string of trucks and cars bearing his stamp.

Davis takes great pride in the return of the Fiesta nameplate, for the first time since 1980.

"Today’s small car customers want more from their vehicles, like class-leading luxury and technology, a refined fun-to-drive ride and handling experience and outstanding fuel efficiency," said Davis. "We’re confident the new Fiesta will exceed their expectations."

Bringing the global Fiesta to North American markets was enabled by collaboration between Davis and Ford of Europe and Asia Pacific region counterparts.

A Detroit-area native, Davis received his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Institute of Technology, and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Detroit. He started with Ford in 1984.

"My first 22 years with Ford were all about putting ‘Built Ford Tough’ into our class-leading line of trucks and commercial vehicles," said Davis. He served as chief engineer for the F-Series Super Duty® and the market-leading F-150 pickup truck lineup.

Davis spearheaded launches of the sporty Lincoln MKS, the distinctive Ford Flex, the acclaimed Ford F-150 pickup, the 2010 Ford Fusion and 41-mpg Fusion Hybrid, the Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid, the reengineered 2010 Ford Taurus and Taurus SHO, the powerful yet fuel-efficient 2011 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT and now the North American Ford Fiesta.

Davis’ leadership and product development savvy propelled him to an Automotive News "All-Star" recognition for engineering in 2004.

Truck engineering and product success led Davis to be named vehicle line director for Ford’s body-on-frame products, with responsibility for development and launch of all F-Series trucks and the Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator full-size SUVs.

Named to his present role in fall 2007, Davis and his team were tasked with reinvigorating the iconic Taurus nameplate. Senior management empowered Davis and the team to bring the design vision to life with luxury levels of customer convenience technology for the 2010 model year – a full 12 months ahead of schedule. The team succeeded.

"Taurus set the stage for Fiesta, and Fiesta sets the stage for the all-new next-generation Focus," Davis said. "With Fiesta and the forthcoming Focus, we’re reinforcing Ford’s product excellence in small cars and delivering products that surprise and delight our customers."

Personal Insights and Fun Facts

Frank attended Lawrence Institute of Technology and the University of Detroit

Automotive News named Davis an engineering "All-Star" for 2004

Frank has extensive truck development experience

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.